Are Friends Electric - Tubeway Army

John & Maggie are!

Another windy day even in the lee of Weymouth but the sky was by and large clear so, after a brief visit to the cemetery

where once again Goldcrests were making their presence known, I wandered along the Rodwell Trail (at least part of its course) where

Long-tailed Tits were by far the most vocal of the small birds there.

In addition Blackcap (male) were also very much in evidence

Blackcap (female)

but a lone Treecreeper was unexpected. This tiny bird with no more than a pseeet call, which alerted me to its presence, is undoubtedly here all year round but rarely seen - let's hope they are breeding!
From here it was a quick move to Portland where, given the wind direction and its strength, I was undecided as to which path to take. On the West Cliff it would be driving in hard on the starboard beam, while the East cliff in would be from ahead but the undulating path would give a little relief now and then. It was the latter I chose and still got a buffeting all the way to the Bill. Even east of the Common sea-spray was catching the air, while at my destination instead of a hoped for Storm Petrel there was little more than a few Fulmar, Kittiwake, Guillimot, Razorbill and Gannet.

This light aircraft arrived from seaward, and hitting the coastal turbulence started rocking & rolling similar to Bill Haley & his Comets, the only place I didn't want to be was 'up there'.

Returning via a completely deserted Bird Observatory and the Top Fields there was nothing to report but the bus to Weymouth took me to the undoubted highlight of the day. Lunch and a few drinks with John Gifford and his sister Maggie Hayden was indeed a delight. John has become very much my 'botanical guide' being responsible for identifying many of the plants, published through these pages, I have no idea about. Our 3 hour conversation varied from Viper's Bugloss to the Mau Mau and the St Johnstone football team to Sydling St Nicholas. The plan is to enjoy a Sunday roast at the Coach & Horses at Winterboure Abass on the first week-end of my return. Make no mistake about it both of you, I'LL BE THERE as the Four Tops once said!

Damsels & Damselflies

The weather had turned very much for the better this morning, and walking through the cemetery listening to Goldcrests in the Pines, a text from the Observatory alerted me to a Golden Oriole that had been caught there at 05:50. The sun was already warm as I crossed on to Radipole and with the wind edging nearer to southerly

this Great Crested Grebe also seemed to be basking in the conditions.

There was also Bearded Tit activity in 3 of the reed-beds, but this presumed juvenile was the only one to show. At Lodmoor I met up with Daragh who had been waiting for the

Arctic Tern to appear, which it did at the same time as me. With news that the

Savi's Warbler was also showing well, having been here for 2 weeks now,

we headed off to Beachdown Way where I was able to secure a few distant photographs, the first ever of this species anywhere. Close inspection shows a ring on the left leg!

Parting company, I now wandered the west path to find this predated Mallard egg

which looked every bit as if it had been taken by a Corvid, Carrion Crow?, Magpie?

On the dried out mud there were a pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and further along

the Honeysuckle was seen to be in full bloom while the members of the

Common Tern colony all took to the wing at the same time and for no apparent reason.

The final sighting on, or perhaps I should say 'above' was this para-glider making the most of the thermals.

At Portland, once again I took a look at the Curtis puddle and noted today that it wasn't just House Martins utilising the water and the mud, but a Swallow had joined in collecting building material,

while a number of House Sparrows indulged in a little bathing and

a few Linnets, including this male,

where enjoying a much needed drink. Apart from the now 'long gone' Golden Oriole, there was little to hold me at the Bird Observatory for long, and with a drink date with 2 lovely ladies pending there was just time to capture these

Azure Damselfly and

Large Red Damselfly

Leslie Brown, Myself and Val Watts enjoyed a splendid lunchtime drink together which was supposed to be a Bon Voyage tot before my departure next week. I just keep getting the feeling there may be 2 or 3 more of these before I actually leave? Great to share your company ladies!

Overhead the Albatross,

Hangs motionless upon the air

And deep beneath the rolling waves
In labyrinths of coral caves
An echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand
And everything is green and submarine.

Echoes - Pink Floyd

A quieter day altogether than yesterday, weather wise and in the wildlife department but at least I was up early enough to enjoy more of it! The sun was already shining in a near cloudless sky at 06:00 and the wind had dropped to a gentle breeze, but bird-wise even the now local Swifts and House Martins had temporarily absented themselves. A wander through the cemetery and Radipole brought up no more than a singing Lesser Whitethroat, but along the way there were a few roadside plants to observe

such as these Common Poppies

shaking their crimson heads in the breeze, plus a good showing of

Dog Rose

Nearing the Gurkha restaurant a passer-by told me that he had seen young birds in the Mute Swan nest, pictured yesterday, I lingered for a while in the hope of seeing them but the parent bird was unmoved so I continued to the sluices at Westham Bridge.

There, 4 Mute swan Cygnets, were being shown off by a parent bird, a first for me this year.

Quite unusual at anytime of the year never mind May, a male Pochard had arrive from where I know not, but there would be a pair or 2 on the lake and more at Lodmoor. There was time to take a look at Ferrybridge before the flood tide began, but even there the Waders only amounted to 81 Dunlin and 29 Sanderling

but this line of foam / residue along the shore-line was a little disturbing.

My first destination on Portland was the barns at Sweethill to check the progress of the House Martin's nest building.

Once again Curtis had topped up the puddle continuing a ready supply of mud,

and as can be seen from these shot the birds were taking full advantage.

There were more wild flowers to view in the Top Fields,

but despite a determined search of the Field Guide I haven't been able to identify either. This one may be Viper's Bugloss????

but this, maybe one of the Umbellifers, remains a mystery. OK John time for you to get to work!

The Royal Netherlands Navy Minesweeper 'Willemstad' passes Portland Bill.

On the way home the 501 Portland Bill (open-top bus) service passed by, reminding me of yesterday's return home when I called in to see The Secret Lemonade Drinker. Gary White was a longtime shipmate and since a very dear friend who is always a great pleasure to see. Along with a cool ginger beer he played for me Echoes (originally from the Pink Floyd album 'Meddle') this rendition from the David Gilmour record 'Live In Gdansk'. It has been some years since I sat down and listened to this 23 minute 31 second opus, but guess Gary must have sensed the thrill and gave me the album. Nothing has been on the turntable since, and I doubt it will for a few more playings yet - Thank You 'Secret' you're a Gem! Love also to Jane.

Runaway - Del Shannon

It was a severe case of 'Slack Hammock' this morning, emerging from my bed at the crack of 08:30, but with the mornings formalities complete in quick time it was off to Radipole. Condition today were on the whole very blustery, with the wind remaining in the west, a leaden sky threatening rain and once again a chill in the air.

However, with a report of the first Southern Marsh Orchid on the reserve

there was no time to loose. The approach path to the North Hide holds the largest number of these beautiful but delicate plants (since the RSPB dug up the 200 strong colony elsewhere) so that was to be my starting point. Delighted to have seen a few in full bloom, I turned to leave for Portland but encountered Luke Phillips the RSPB Information Officer who told me that the Kingfishers were about due to fledge and that Sand Martins had been showing some interested in the purpose built breeding wall.

Taking an 'about turn' in the hope of seeing both of these, I entered the hide to find Nick Quintrell who parades under the heading of Warden whose reply to my jaunty and polite "good morning" was a terse "it was"! Now to be fair I have made some rather scathing remarks (all absolutely true) about this individual so I wouldn't expect him to be my best mate, but in sharp contrast he has never summoned up the courage to engage me on what my readership, et al, now know to be his failings. Alone in the hide together, I would have thought that someone who's bread and butter relies on Public Relations would at least make an effort to cast oil on troubled waters, but no he just 'ran away'! It is a fallacy to believe there is no such animal as 'bad publicity', I was here long before you arrived and hopefully will be long after they get rid of you, with eyes and ears wide open!

and so onward to far more pleasant happenings, and while the Kingfishers appeared to still be in the nest both parent birds were buzzing around in feeding mode. This shot shows one of the adults perched on the Sand Martin Wall. Unfortunately, I didn't even see a Sand Martin let alone recording any breeding activity at the Wall which is a great shame, but there may well still be time this year?

With Orchids and nesting birds mind, it can be seen from this image that the new pathways on the reserve are well constructed and adequate even for wheelchair users. Why oh why then has it been necessary to start cutting the vegetation on this of all weeks when these beautiful plants are emerging?

Cutting has taken place all along the margins, punctuated by patches extending into the reed-beds as shown. I extend an opportunity to the RSPB in Weymouth to answer 2 questions through the Comments facility on this Blog. (1) Why are you cutting these verges at this critical time of the year &

(2) How do you know there isn't a Cetti's Warblers nest or another atrofusca or fulvofusca waiting to fall to your blades? The public (the Owners of these areas) have a right to know why these practices are allowed to continue!

Note:- This photograph of the Orchid atrofusca, so rare it doesn't yet have a common name, was taken on Radipole last year. It is not advisable to enter into detail, but suffice to say this single specimen of this tiny plant may yet be found to be the only example in Great Britain. It would only be with great Luck that one could be detected prior to grass cutting.

Before leaving for Portland this Cetti's Warbler was caught out in the open.

Another new Coot's nest and

the Mute Swan continues to incubate close to the Gurkha restaurant.

This photograph, taken from the bus, is of the visiting Cruise Ship 'Marco Polo'

The Little Known Side of the Portland Bird Observatory

Open mind for a different view!

With few people at the Obs, a stiff breeze continuing and few migrant birds anyway, I was given the rare privilege of taking a 'behind the scenes' look at some of the workings at the PBO.

Only my third look in nearly 40 years at the extensive garden that runs from the lighthouse towards the sea, much work is carried out here. Filled with bushes and 2 ponds it is an ideal landfall for birds having just flown the English Channel, offering both food and cover. First on the agenda was the 'ringing hut' where many hundreds of birds are marked with a tiny leg ring.

The painstaking and often tiring work requires patience in copious amounts, total dedication and a gentle touch.

Some of the paraphernalia of the 'ringer' includes a vast array of rings of various sizes.

Various tools to fit the ring, weigh and measure the bird and

and a 'ringing log' to record all details gleaned.

The central pond, out of view to the casual observer on the patio.

One of many 'mist nets' strategically placed around the garden, this one furled in the breezy conditions.

Moth Trapping is also another huge part of the Observatories monitoring function, with several of these 'light traps' set around the garden overnight.

and what might be considered the main pond, viewable from the patio, with just one creature on

show during my visit, a male Broad-bodied Chaser.

I've set the clock to see just how long it takes the RSPB to answer the questions, ignore them (most likely) or come up with an excuse for not doing so!
YOU THE MEMBERSHIP ARE THEIR PAYMASTERS SURELY YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW?